By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Hallowmace Foundation Africa has called on Nigeria’s leadership to extend the service of Mr. Rawlins Agada, Clerk of the Senate, whose mandatory retirement is scheduled for September 1, 2025.
The advocacy group described Agada as a “national resource” whose wealth of experience, institutional memory, and international networks are too valuable to be lost at this critical stage of Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
In a detailed advocacy publication titled “Retaining National Institutional Memory: The Case for Extending Mr. Rawlins Agada’s Service to the Nation”, the Foundation argued that his retirement would create a knowledge vacuum and disrupt ongoing reforms in the National Assembly, particularly in digital transformation and parliamentary modernization.
Mr. Agada, who has risen through the ranks of the National Assembly service, is credited with spearheading far-reaching reforms. As Director of Information and Research from 2019, he led the digitization of chamber proceedings, recalibrated accreditation protocols for journalists covering the legislature, and launched the Assembly’s new media platforms to deepen citizen engagement.
Beyond administrative excellence, Agada served as President of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), where he championed staff welfare and institutional reforms. Internationally, he represented Nigeria at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa and contributed to global legislative development through the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.
His appointments as Deputy Clerk in both the House of Representatives and Senate—spanning administrative and legislative functions—underscore his versatility in managing the complexities of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature.
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Anderson Osiebe, stressed that Agada’s imminent retirement would deprive the country of invaluable expertise. “Mr. Agada has been pivotal in modernizing Nigeria’s parliamentary administration. His continued service is not just about extending tenure, it is about preserving institutional memory, ensuring continuity, and mentoring the next generation of parliamentary leaders,” Osiebe stated.
The Foundation highlighted five key reasons for retaining his services:
Preservation of Institutional Memory – preventing a leadership and knowledge gap in ongoing reforms.
Mentorship – structured transfer of knowledge to younger administrators.
International Representation – leveraging Agada’s established networks in global parliamentary forums.
Completion of Digital Reforms – ensuring successful implementation of modernization projects.
Precedent for Knowledge Management – creating a model for retaining exceptional public servants post-retirement.
Drawing comparisons with international institutions, the Foundation noted that advanced democracies and global organizations like the UN frequently retain exceptional officials as consultants, envoys, and advisors beyond retirement. The Inter-Parliamentary Union itself thrives on the contributions of experienced parliamentarians who continue to serve as mentors and knowledge carriers.
Proposed Framework
To retain Agada, the Foundation proposed the creation of a Specialized Consultancy and Mentorship Role. This would include:
Appointment as Senior Parliamentary Advisor on digital transformation and international relations.
Leadership of a Mentorship and Leadership Development Program for parliamentary administrators.
Engagement as a Special Envoy for Parliamentary Relations in international legislative forums.
Headship of Transition Management Initiatives to safeguard institutional memory.
The Hallowmace Foundation urged the National Assembly Service Commission to immediately invoke provisions for exceptional service extension. It also called on the Senate Leadership to establish a “Senior Parliamentary Fellow” position for Agada, while recommending a National Emeritus Program to retain other outstanding retired public servants.
“We must go beyond retirement to legacy building,” Osiebe emphasized. “Nations progress when wisdom is preserved and transmitted across generations. Retaining Mr. Agada is both a national necessity and a progressive precedent for the future of Nigeria’s governance.”